Reversal of circularly polarized luminescence direction and an "on-off" switch driven by exchange between UV light irradiation and the applied direct current electric field

We report the rational design of a dual stimulus-activated quaternary chiral emission nematic liquid crystals (Q-N*-LCs) containing light-driven chiral dopant R-S-R-1, a static chiral dopant S-2 and an achiral Nile Red (NR) in a nematic liquid crystal (SLC1717). The dopant R-S-R-1 acts as a dynamic chiral donor and an energy donor, and the achiral NR serves as a circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) emitter and energy acceptor. Interestingly, this kind of Q-N*-LCs appears reversal CPL emission direction (L-CPL) using 365 nm UV light irradiation compared with the initial state (R-CPL). Most importantly, the "On-Off" CPL switch behavior of Q-N*-LCs can be repeatedly driven by revoking or rearranging the applied direct current (DC) electric field. An OR chiral information logic gate demonstrates that this dual driven Q-N*-LCs can be potentially used for chiral information storage and coding.